Tour of Luxor's West Bank

An incredible array of temples and tombs line Luxor’s West Bank, easily combinable with the Valley of the Kings, we highly recommend heading off on a guided tour with a knowledgeable local guide to really uncover the majesty of this part of Ancient Egypt.

While the fabled Valley of the Kings has hogged the West Bank limelight since the discovery of the Tomb of Tutankhamen, there is a vast treasure trove of attractions to discover elsewhere. Arguably, many of these sites are better preserved, more extensive and certainly more accessible than the Valley of the Kings, with at least three of Egypt’s most impressive Pharaonic temples and some legendary iconography. Programmes and exact sites can vary significantly, based on which cruise you take or whether you’re using a Luxor hotel and a private guide to explore. There are more than enough exceptional sites to see to spend at least one full day exploring the area.

Among the highlights is the Temple of Hatshepsut, its collonaded terraces set in a natural bowl and spectacularly located against a rugged, timeless backdrop. Two extensive, extravagant mortuary temples are also often included on sightseeing itineraries: the Ramesseum and the Medinat Habu. Dedicated to consecutive Ramesses’ (II & III), these are amongst Egypt’s largest, best preserved and most instructive temple complexes. Then there is the Colossi of Memnon, presiding serenely over sugar cane fields and visited at least for a brief photo stop by virtually all West Bank visitors. With all of these attractions, you can explore some of them independently, but there is much to be gained by the presence of an experienced guide at the major sights.